Wire-Mesh Security Fence and Fence Panel

ABSTRACT

A wire-mesh security fence panel and security fence is provided. In at least on example the fence panel includes: a first set of substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first and a second end; a second set of substantially parallel wires, the second set of wires being welded across the first set on one picket-wire side of the first set; a cross-wire-side connection strip welded across the first end of the first set on the picket-wire side of the first set; and an opposite side connection strip welded across the second end of the first set on the opposite side of the picket-wire side. In one such example each connection strip has an outside edge and each outside edge is equally spaced from the end of the wires to which the strip is welded.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No.14/204,318, filed Mar. 11, 2014, which is a continuation application ofSer. No. 13/958,128, filed Aug. 2, 2013, which is a continuationapplication of Ser. No. 13/683,780, filed on Nov. 21, 2012 and based onU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/881,810, filed Sep. 14, 2010, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/242,239 filedSep. 14, 2009, for “Wire-Mesh Security Fence and Fence Panel.”

BACKGROUND

In the field of security fences, “cut resistance” and “climb resistance”has led to the use of welded mesh fence. Such fences are made byarranging multiple horizontal lines of wire—spaced apart a smalldistance—and welding vertical cross wires to the horizontal lines. Theresult is a mesh. Typical mesh used in security fences is so called“3-5-8” (meaning that the horizontal lines are about 3 inches apart, thecross wires are 0.5 inches, and the wire is 8 gauge). Other dimensionsand mesh patterns are known or will occur to those of skill in the art.The wires are welded into a mesh on a variety of welding systems (forexample, automatic resistance-mesh welders, such as those available fromEntwicklungs- and Verwertungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H. (a.k.a. “EVG”) andClifford/Ideal Welding Systems). Continuous wire welders and jig weldersare used to perform the welding. To prevent the panels from warping,tension is placed on the wires during the welding process. The ends ofthe panels are typically finished with a cross wire welded across theface of the horizontal like wires.

In practice, welded mesh fences present problems. For example, in atypical installation, the fence posts are installed about 8 feet apart,but the spacing may be very irregular. Likewise, in some applications,or a welded mesh fence may need to be installed on pre-existing chainlink posts. Since chain link does not require highly regular spacing, itcan be stretched to accommodate significant irregularities. In weldedmesh fencing, however, stretching the width of the panel is not possibleFurther, the hardware typically used to join panels leaves nuts or otherparts that are vulnerable to attack on the outside of the fence,reducing the security of the fence. Therefore, there is a need for awire-mesh fence and a wire-mesh fence panel that gives flexibility ininstallation with irregularly-spaced posts. There is a separate need fora joining of wire-mesh fence panels that reduces the amount ofconnection component material that is easily attacked on the outside ofthe fence.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLES

In at least one example of the invention, a welded wire-mesh fence panelis provided that includes: a first set of substantially parallel wires,each wire having a first and a second end; a second set of substantiallyparallel wires, the second set of wires being welded across the firstset on one picket-wire side of the first set; a cross-wire-sideconnection strip welded across the first end of the first set on thepicket-wire side of the first set; and an opposite side connection stripwelded across the second end of the first set on the opposite side ofthe picket-wire side. In one such example each connection strip has anoutside edge and each outside edge is equally spaced from the end of thewires to which the strip is welded.

In a further example of the invention, a wire-mesh fence is providedthat includes: at least two wire-mesh panels. The picket-wire sideconnection strip of the first panel is connected to the opposite-sideconnection strip of the second panel, and the first end of the wires ofthe first set of a first of the panels substantially facing the secondend of the wires of a second panel. In at least one such example, a boltis provided (for example, square shaped and having two ends). Each endis inserted through a hole in a connection strip of the first panel anda hold in a connection strip of the second panel. In some examples, eachbolt end is threaded and a nut is applied on each threaded end. In someexamples, the holes comprise slots. In still further examples, fenceposts are connected at the connection strips. In another example, theholes in the connection strip are threaded to accept fasteners passingthrough holes in the adjoining connection strip. Still further examplesas seen in the attached drawings and detailed description.

In another example of the invention a wire-mesh fence panel comprises afirst set of substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first, asecond end, a picket-wire side, and a cross-wire side, a second set ofsubstantially parallel wires, the second set of wires being weldedacross the first set on the picket-wire side, a picket-wire sideconnection strip welded across the first end of the first set on thepicket-wire side, and a cross-wire side connection strip welded acrossthe second end of the first set on the cross-wire side, wherein thepicket-wire side connection strip includes at least one opening and thecross-wire side connection strip includes at least one opening, whereineach picket-wire side connection strip opening has a correspondingcross-wire side connection strip opening.

In a variation of the examples, each connection strip has an outsideedge and each outside edge is equally spaced from the end of the wiresto which the strip is welded. Another variation may include the at leastone picket-wire side connection strip opening is a through slot, the atleast one cross-wire side connection strip opening is a through hole,and at least one fastener located through the at least one through slotand the at least one through hole. The invention may include at leastone fastener being a U-shaped bolt positioned such that the ends of theU-shaped bolt are secured to the cross-wire-side connection strip.

Another example of the invention includes a wire-mesh fence comprisingat least a first panel and a second panel, each panel comprising a firstset of substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first and asecond end, a picket-wire side, a cross-wire side, a second set ofsubstantially parallel wires, the second set of wires being weldedacross the first set on the picket-wire side of the first set, apicket-wire side connection strip welded across the first end of thefirst set on the picket-wire side of the first set, and a cross-wireside connection strip welded across the second end of the first set onthe cross-wire side of the first set, the picket-wire side connectionstrip of the first panel being connected to the cross-wire sideconnection strip of the second panel, and the first set of substantiallyparallel wires of the first panel being substantially aligned with thefirst set of substantially parallel wires of the second panel.

A further modification to the embodiments disclosed may include one ormore bolts having two ends, each end being inserted through one or moreholes in the picket-wire side connection strip of the first panel andone or more holes in the cross-wire side connection strip of the secondpanel. Each bolt end is threaded and further comprising a nut on eachthreaded end. Furthermore, posts may be connected to the connectionstrips. The hole in at least one connection strip may be slotted.Another addition may include the cross-wire-side connection strip havingat least one through slot and the picket-wire side connection stripcomprising at least one through hole, wherein each picket-wire-sideconnection strip slot has a hole that is aligned with a correspondingcross-wire-side connection strip slot. The invention may further includeat least one fastener located through the at least one through slot andthe at least one through hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of the invention in which awire-mesh panel is seen.

FIG. 1A is a detail view of the upper left corner of the wire mesh panelof FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a detail view of the upper right corner of the wire meshpanel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is an end on view of the lower left corner of the wire meshpanel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1D is an end on view of the lower right corner of the wire meshpanel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of the invention in which twowire-mesh panels such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 are spaced apartbefore joining.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example of the invention, showing abutt-joint of two assembled panels.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of the invention, in whichconnected panels are mounted to a fence post.

FIG. 5 is a front view of connected panels attached to a fence post.

FIG. 6 is a top view of connected panels attached to a fence post.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the connected panels attached to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 an example of a wire-mesh fence panel 100 isseen comprising substantially parallel rail-wires 102, each having afirst end 102 a and a second end 102 b. Substantially parallelcross-wires 104 are welded across rail-wires 102 at substantiallyregular intervals. At each end of the panel 100 a connection strip iswelded across the ends of the wires 102. As seen in detail in FIGS.1A-1D, picket-wire-side connection strip 106 is welded on thepicket-wire side 108 of panel 100, and opposite-side connection strip110 is welded across the ends of the wires 102 on the side opposite thepicket-wire side 108 of panel 100

Referring now to the example of FIG. 2, each connection strip 106 and110 has an outside edge 112 that is spaced from the end of the wires towhich the strip is welded. As the two panels 100 a and 100 b are movedtogether, the ends of the rail-wires face each other; and, if thespacing is regular enough, as seen in the top-view of FIG. 3, thisallows a “butt-connection” between the wires of two panels 100 a and 100b when they are connected together.

Referring again to FIG. 2, slot-holes 116 are provided in eachconnection strip and are positioned to overlap with the slot-holes ofanother panel when assembled. Such slots allow for irregular spacing ofposts to be accommodated.

Referring again to FIG. 3, in at least one example of the invention, aU-shaped bolt 204 is inserted from the side opposite thepicket-wire-side of panels 100 a and 100 b through slots 116 (not shownin FIG. 3), and nuts 210 are applied to the threaded ends of bolt 204.Therefore, it is possible to build an entire fence on which no nuts orcross-wires are available on one side of the fence. Having thecross-wires inaccessible to the outside increases the security of thefence. When used as the outside of whatever location is to be protected,this increases security; the back of a U-shaped bolt is more difficultto attack than a nut. Other methods of joining panels will occur tothose of skill in the art without departing from the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some examples, the overlapping connectionstrips are attached by bolts 400 (e.g., secure bolts who's heads shearafter installation) to threaded posts 300 that have been previously setin the ground. In other examples, the spacing between posts is tooirregular and cannot be attached at the connection strips (see FIG. 5).However due to the overlapping connection strips being welded to theends of the wires, the assembled panels present a uniform barrier thatcan be attached to irregularly spaced posts with hardware that willoccur to those of skill in the art. For example, the following types ofconnectors are useful to mount joined panels to posts: standard threadedfasteners, threaded tamper proof fasteners, welded studs, rivets, selftapping standard and tamper proof fasteners, direct welding, etc.Referring now to FIG. 6, still another example is seen in which joinedpanels 601 and 603 are connected by strips 604, which are held togetherby bolts 606 that are threaded into block 605. The assembled panels arefastened to round posts 615 by clamp member 607 which is secured toblock 605 by bolts 609 (held in place by nuts 610 and heads 611.)

In some embodiments, the connection strips 106 and 110 are welded duringmanufacturing, to the picket-wires of a wire-mesh welding processedpanel; in further examples, strips 106 and 110 are welded to theso-called “rail-wires”. In still a further example, strips are welded tomore than two sides (e.g. four), allowing panels to be joined in twodimensions. Thus higher fences are enabled from multiple panels of oneheight.

The materials and sizes of the mesh are known to those of ordinary skillin the field; however, the following have been found to be particularlyuseful and are preferred:

12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter) wirewelded into a 3″×0.5″ mesh.

12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter) wirewelded into a 2″×2″ mesh.

12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter) wirewelded into a 2″×6″ mesh

12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter)wirewelded into 1″×1″ mesh

Other dimensions and even more irregular spacing of wires may be usedwithout departing from the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in some examples, the overlapping connectionstrips 702 are attached by bolts 701 to corresponding threaded strips703. The assembled panels allow for a uniform barrier that can beattached to irregularly spaced posts with hardware that will occur tothose of skill in the art. For example, the following types ofconnectors are useful to join the connection strips 702 to the threadedstrips 703: standard threaded fasteners, threaded tamper prooffasteners, welded studs, rivets, self-tapping standard and tamper prooffasteners, direct welding, etc. In this example the connection strip 702has a slot 704 and the corresponding threaded strip 703 has a throughhole 705.

The above description is given by way of example only. Other examples ofthe invention will occur to those reading the current document that arewithin the scope of the invention—whose scope is not intended to belimited by any statement or specific example given above. The scope ofthe patent is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wire-mesh fence panel comprising: a first setof substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first, a second end,a picket-wire side, and a cross-wire side; a second set of substantiallyparallel wires, the second set of wires being welded across the firstset on the picket-wire side; a picket-wire side connection strip weldedacross the first end of the first set on the picket-wire side; and across-wire side connection strip welded across the second end of thefirst set on the cross-wire side, wherein the picket-wire sideconnection strip includes at least one opening and the cross-wire sideconnection strip includes at least one opening, wherein each picket-wireside connection strip opening has a corresponding cross-wire sideconnection strip opening.
 2. A wire-mesh fence panel as in claim 1,wherein each connection strip has an outside edge and each outside edgeis equally spaced from the end of the wires to which the strip iswelded.
 3. A wire-mesh fence panel as in claim 1, wherein the at leastone picket-wire side connection strip opening is a through slot.
 4. Awire-mesh fence panel as in claim 3, wherein the at least one cross-wireside connection strip opening is a through hole.
 5. A wire-mesh fencepanel as in claim 4, further comprising at least one fastener locatedthrough the at least one through slot and the at least one through hole.6. A wire-mesh fence panel as in claim 5, wherein the at least onefastener is a U-shaped bolt positioned such that the ends of theU-shaped bolt are secured to the cross-wire-side connection strip.
 7. Awire-mesh fence comprising: at least a first panel and a second panel,each panel comprising: a first set of substantially parallel wires, eachwire having a first and a second end, a picket-wire side, a cross-wireside, a second set of substantially parallel wires, the second set ofwires being welded across the first set on the picket-wire side of thefirst set, a picket-wire side connection strip welded across the firstend of the first set on the picket-wire side of the first set, and across-wire side connection strip welded across the second end of thefirst set on the cross-wire side of the first set; the picket-wire sideconnection strip of the first panel being connected to the cross-wireside connection strip of the second panel; and the first set ofsubstantially parallel wires of the first panel being substantiallyaligned with the first set of substantially parallel wires of the secondpanel.
 8. A fence as in claim 7 further comprising one or more boltshaving two ends, each end being inserted through one or more holes inthe picket-wire side connection strip of the first panel and one or moreholes in the cross-wire side connection strip of the second panel.
 9. Afence as in claim 8, wherein each bolt end is threaded and furthercomprising a nut on each threaded end.
 10. A fence as in claim 9 furthercomprising posts connected to the connection strips.
 11. A fence as inclaim 8, wherein the hole in at least one connection strip is slotted.12. A fence as in claim 7, further comprising the cross-wire-sideconnection strip having at least one through slot and the picket-wireside connection strip comprising at least one through hole, wherein eachpicket-wire-side connection strip slot has a hole that is aligned with acorresponding cross-wire-side connection strip slot.
 13. A fence as inclaim 11, further includes at least one fastener located through the atleast one through slot and the at least one through hole.